Intermediate — Set 31

Set 31 of Intermediate covers 5 words: effective, curious, miserable, estimate, accessible. Each entry below includes its definition, an example sentence, and synonyms — practice them with the interactive cards above.

1. effective · adjective/əˈfɛktɪv/

   successful in giving desirable results

   The teacher used lots of effective techniques to help us understand the subject.

   Synonyms: practical, useful, capable, efficient

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin effectivus, from efficere ‘accomplish’ (see effect)

2. curious · adjective/ˈkjʊriəs/

   wanting to learn something

   Babies and little kids are very curious so they will touch, taste, and smell almost everything to learn more about them.

   Synonyms: interested, nosy, meddling, inquisitive

   Origin: Middle English: from Old French curios, from Latin curiosus ‘careful’, from cura ‘care’. curious (sense 2) dates from the early 18th century

3. miserable · adjective/ˈmɪzər(ə)b(ə)l/

   used for people in unhappy or uncomfortable state

   She was in a miserable situation after she lost her job and got kicked out of her house.

   Synonyms: hopeless, agonized, pathetic, depressed

   Origin: late Middle English: from French misérable, from Latin miserabilis ‘pitiable’, from miserari ‘to pity’, from miser ‘wretched’

4. estimate · verb/ˈɛstəˌmeɪt/

   calculate the number, value, or quantity of something roughly

   Scientists estimate that by 2030, over 65% of the global human population will live in urban areas.

   Synonyms: guess, predict, assess, expect

   Origin: late Middle English: from Latin aestimat- ‘determined, appraised’, from the verb aestimare. The noun originally meant ‘intellectual ability, comprehension’ (only in late Middle English), later ‘valuing, a valuation’ (compare with estimation). The verb originally meant ‘to think well or badly of someone or something’ (late 15th century), later ‘regard as being, consider to be’ (compare with esteem)

5. accessible · adjective/əkˈsɛsəb(ə)l/

   easy to reach or get

   Health services are easily accessible in all parts of the country.

   Synonyms: available, nearby, convenient, handy, possible

   Origin: late Middle English: from late Latin accessibilis, from Latin access- ‘approached’, from the verb accedere (see accede)